May 9th, 2020 – Morning Devotion With Pastor Dan
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 – NKJV)…..In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What are you thankful for these days? Given some time, you could probably list so many things that you are thankful for, especially for what is considered good things. But think about the times we are in right now, and notice the verse in First Thessalonians. We are to give thanks in everything. Is that what is happening in the life of many Christians today? In you? In me? What about when it comes to a virus, are we thankful for that? Or what about not be able to see a loved one because of stay at home orders, are we suppose to thank God for that too? What about when it comes to an imposed inconvenience? What about when it comes to who are nation leaders are, and the decisions they make? And so on, and so on. Now i’m not saying you have to agree with everything that happens around, or to you. But what I am saying, what the Bible says, is that now matter what, the response of my lips is thanks to God for EVERYTHING. We have to ask ourselves, “do I spend my time complaining, or do I spend my time being thankful?” Being thankful is not supposed to be only for only those things that I like, approve of, agree with, or make me feel good, but for EVERYTHING.
Are you giving thanks to God today? You should. If you want to be happy, you must. For, without being thankful, you will never be happy. Just because things are not going the way you would like is no excuse. The Bible clearly says that God’s will for you is to be thankful — always, in everything. Now I know what your thinking, “Pastor Dan what about evil, should we thank God for that?” The Bible does NOT teach that we’re to thank God for evil because God is not responsible for evil. No, God is not guilty of any wrongdoing. It is true that He is a God of Righteousness, Justice, and Wrath, and someday He will reveal His character to His enemies in those ways when He returns. He is not out to do any evil to anybody. However, we should always be thankful — even when evil happens. No matter how dark and hopeless the situation may look — give thanks. This is God’s will for you.
Thank God for the opportunity to see His deliverance. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for defeating the devil and setting you free in Christ. Thank Him that Jesus is Lord. Thank Him that your name is written in Heaven. Thank Him for loving you and taking good care of you. Thank Him!